Have you ever received a call from an unknown number, answered it, and heard complete silence from the other side? If yes, this is not just a technical issue—it could be part of a new cyber fraud tactic. In recent weeks, many people have reported receiving such “silent calls,” prompting the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) to issue an official warning.

According to DoT, these calls are often made by scammers to check whether your mobile number is active.

What are scammers trying to find out?

Silent calls are used to verify if a phone number is in use. Once scammers confirm that a number is active, it may be:

• Added to scam call databases

• Sold to marketing or fraud networks

• Targeted later with phishing, fake offers, or financial scams

The biggest mistake people make is calling back after the silent call gets disconnected. Returning such calls can expose you to fraud or premium-rate scams.

The DoT has clearly advised:

• Do not call back unknown silent numbers

• Do not engage or respond in any way

• Report the number immediately

What should you do if you receive a silent call?

If your phone rings and there is no voice on the other end:

• Disconnect the call

• Do not call back

• Report the number on the Sanchar Saathi platform

As the DoT puts it, “A little common sense can save you from big frauds.”

How to report silent or scam calls on Sanchar Saathi

Follow these steps to file a complaint:

1. Visit sancharsaathi.gov.in

2. On the home page, go to Citizen Centric Services

3. Click on the Chakshu option

4. Choose one of the following:

   • Report Malicious Web Links

   • Report Fraud

   • Report Spam

5. Fill in the required details and submit your complaint